RG3 facing Redskins brings a bit of intrigue

The full slate of games to conclude the preseason Thursday night is something of a tease. Unless you have a friend or relative trying out for an NFL squad, there’s little reason to pay attention.

Still, slivers of intrigue can slip through, as is the case in Baltimore when the Ravens host their nearby rivals, the Washington Redskins.

Robert Griffin III, the 2012 Offensive Rookie of the Year whose subsequent seasons have been marred by injuries, will face the team that chose him second overall that year and made the playoffs behind him.

While RG3 has, by all accounts, had a solid summer, there’s no guarantee he will make the Ravens, who have Joe Flacco entrenched as the starter and first-round draftee Lamar Jackson as his understudy.

“I think Robert has done everything we’ve asked him to do and more,” Baltimore coach John Harbaugh said. “He’s everything he’s always been as a player, he’s back on his feet, he’s healthy, he’s in a new environment, new situation. He’s had great success, and then Haloti (Ngata) fell on him. That’ll hurt anybody’s career! Right?”

After the laughter subsided, Harbaugh added, “So, I think he’s back from that finally, and he had a heck of a summer, and he’s played very well.”

Whether that’s good enough to make the roster, or draw interest from elsewhere, well, who knows?

Regardless, Griffin recognizes the value of the journey.

“The thing I feel like I’ve learned the most about is who I am as a player, a better understanding of my strengths and my weaknesses, and then how to counteract that,” he said.

“I know where I’ve come up short in my career. One of those is being available, and I think I’ve proven throughout the preseason that I’ve learned how to protect myself, while also still playing aggressively, and I think that’s something that I didn’t really do earlier on in my career. I was a little reckless.

“Everybody thinks they’re Superman. I had to learn that I am human, but there are some things that God has blessed me to be able to do that other guys cannot do, and I have to maximize those things. I think that’s where I’ve come along the most.”

Redskins coach Jay Gruden has to decide which and how many running backs to take after Adrian Peterson quickly emerged as the starter, with Samaje Perine, Rob Kelley and Kapri Bibbs in competition for two spots as complements to third-down back Chris Thompson.

ATONEMENT

Miami’s reserves were awful against the Ravens last game, especially the offensive line and defense. Miami was outscored by Baltimore 24-0 in the second half.

The Falcons will use the final preseason game to again protect the health of starters Julio Jones and Devonta Freeman, among others, Jones and Freeman have been held out of all the preseason games for precautionary reasons given their injury histories, but neither has missed practice.

LAST CHANCE FOR BARKLEY

The Colts-Bengals game is the last chance for Matt Barkley to convince the Bengals he’s dependable as the No. 2 quarterback. The spot opened when AJ McCarron won his grievance, gained free agency and went to Buffalo. The Bengals signed Barkley, and he’s competed with Jeff Driskel, who missed all of last season with a broken hand. So far, Driskel has put up slightly better numbers, completing 63 percent of his passes with a rating of 89.1. Barkley has completed 51.5 percent with a rating of 71.5.

Jacoby Brissett will back up Andrew Luck for the Colts, and given Luck’s recent injury history, Indy needs Brissett to stay upright and healthy. Yet he likely will play at Cincinnati.

RUDOCK’S AUDITION

Jake Rudock has been in the NFL for two seasons and attempted a total of five passes, and his future became even more unclear when the Lions signed veteran quarterback Matt Cassel this offseason. With Matthew Stafford the starter — he hasn’t missed a game since the 2010 season — Detroit is hoping the backup quarterback spot won’t be relevant this year, but it’s still a battle worth watching. Rudock has completed 72 percent of his passes this preseason.

After going 1-31 under Hue Jackson so far, Cleveland is most interested in establishing some sort of winning spirit, so some regulars could wind up in action against the Lions.

CALL US WHEN IT GETS COLD

This is always a fun matchup when the Patriots and Giants face off — in the fall or winter or Super Bowl. With few if any recognizable faces in action at MetLife Stadium, not much to look at here. Odell Beckham Jr., became the highest-paid receiver in NFL history this week, but he won’t begin earning his money until the regular season.

DIBS ON DOBBS?

Steelers quarterback Josh Dobbs will almost certainly be on an NFL roster in a week. It just might not be in Pittsburgh. Ben Roethlisberger, Landry Jones and Mason Rudolph are locks to make the team, though Dobbs will start the exhibition finale against Carolina. Dobbs, who has thrown for a team-high three touchdowns and completed 68 percent of his passes during the preseason, says he’s focused on putting good film on tape and not his future.

There’s a chance the Steelers could keep him when rosters are trimmed to 53 on Saturday and then trade him to bolster depth needs in several areas, including offensive line.

Cam Newton will sit out as Taylor Heinicke and Garrett Gilbert battle for the Panthers’ No. 2 quarterback spot. Heinicke appears to have the upper hand and will play the first quarter.

SCRAMBLING VETERANS

Tight end Nick O’Leary, running back Travaris Cadet and perhaps even quarterback AJ McCarron will get one last opportunity to make the Bills roster at Chicago. O’Leary has dropped down the depth chart behind Jason Croom and Khari Lee, while Cadet has fallen behind Marcus Murphy for the No. 3 spot on the roster. As for McCarron, his roster spot will depend on whether the Bills keep three quarterbacks.

McCarron slipped behind returning backup Nathan Peterman and first-round draft pick Josh Allen in what’s been an offseason-long quarterback competition. McCarron missed nearly a week of practice with a bruised right throwing shoulder before being cleared on Monday.

New Bears coach Matt Nagy sat his starters last week, so don’t expect them to break a sweat at Soldier field.

IN A RUSH

Dallas quarterback Cooper Rush needs a better showing against Houston to ease questions about the backup to Dak Prescott. Rush won the No. 2 job as a rookie in the preseason last year with six touchdowns and no interceptions while completing 75 percent of his passes. The percentage is down to 65 percent, with a touchdown and two interceptions. Both picks came in the Cowboys’ eight-turnover loss to Arizona.

Houston coach Bill O’Brien didn’t rule out some starters playing a bit, but don’t expect to see stars such as quarterback Deshaun Watson and J.J. Watt on the field.

“It depends on what you qualify as a starter (but) I think — yeah, I think you’ll see some guys in there that could end up potentially starting games for us in the regular season, yes,” O’Brien said.

HACK ‘EM

Christian Hackenberg gets his first audition with the Eagles against his former team. A second-round pick by the Jets in 2016, Hackenberg never took a snap in two seasons for New York. He signed with the Eagles as the No. 5 quarterback during training camp and should get plenty of action Thursday. The guy who likely is the future for the Jets, Sam Darnold, won’t likely get on the field in this one, and New York traded Teddy Bridgewater to the Saints on Wednesday.

NFC TITLE PREVIEW?

Perhaps that comes when the Rams and Saints face off on Nov. 4. For now, the Rams will stick with their approach of letting as few starters as possible get on the field in preseason, while the Saints are trying to get first-round draft choice DE Marcus Davenport more work. While coach Sean Payton tends to err on the side of preserving the health of key players late in the preseason, Davenport is in need of more action because of a groin pull that sidelined him for the first two preseason contests. During the offseason, Payton said one of his top priorities was improving the pass rush. Davenport was drafted to do just that, but it’s not yet clear when he’ll be ready to play a substantial role.

NO JAMEIS

The Buccaneers don’t plan to play suspended quarterback Jameis Winston in their preseason finale against the Jaguars, which means the next time he will be eligible to practice or play will be after his three-game league suspension.

After losing their top wideout, Marqise Lee, to a knee injury last weekend, don’t look for any Jaguars starters to sniff the field.

WIN ONE FOR VRABEL

The Titans have company being winless this preseason with defending champ Philadelphia, Seattle, Dallas, Atlanta and Miami at 0-3. Mike Vrabel is the new coach in that group still looking for a first win before the regular season opens Sept. 9 in Miami.

Asked if Thursday night’s game with the Vikings matters, the man who won three Super Bowl rings as a linebacker with New England said, “Every time we go out on the field should matter. The adage that it’s just preseason, every time that any one of us go out there, we should be expected to play as a starter.”

The Vikings have a competition for the final two or three wide receiver spots, behind Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs and Laquon Treadwell. The group includes undrafted rookies Chad Beebe and Jake Wieneke as well as CFL product Brandon Zylstra. The most experienced entrant in the competition is Kendall Wright, the 2012 first-round draft pick by the Titans.

KIZER’S NIGHT

The Packers are expected to give DeShone Kizer plenty of work after trading backup quarterback Brett Hundley to the Seahawks. Kizer was acquired in the offseason from Cleveland, which went winless with Kizer doing most of the quarterbacking.

The Chiefs’ entire draft class is competing for backup jobs. That includes second-rounder Breeland Speaks at linebacker, Derrick Nnadi at defensive tackle and Tremon Smith at cornerback.

LYNCH’S SWAN SONG?

QB Chad Kelly will start for the Broncos and Paxton Lynch will finish at Arizona in what could be the former first-rounder’s last game with the Broncos. Kelly, who spent his rookie season on IR last year, will be making his first start since he was at Ole Miss in 2016.

“It’s going to feel fun to go out there and let it loose right away. You don’t have to sit around and wait, you get to go out there and perform right away,” he said.

Lynch said he doesn’t want a fresh start somewhere else and is hoping to make the team, even as the third quarterback.

Arizona has 16 takeaways in three preseason games, a reflection of new coach Steve Wilks’ philosophy of defensive aggressiveness. Most of the guys who forced those turnovers will be idle against Denver.

FIRST-ROUNDER JAMES TO PLAY

While most of the Chargers’ starters will rest, first-round pick Derwin James and most of the rookies will play at the 49ers. The Bolts’ coaching staff wants one more chance to determine whether James is ready to start at safety in the season opener, so he will be tested in multiple roles and situations again.

One San Francisco spot that could still be up for grabs is right guard. Coach Kyle Shanahan said the position is Mike Person’s to lose, but 2016 first-round pick Joshua Garnett showed flashes last week in Indianapolis and still could make a push for the starting role.

GRUMPY GRUDEN

Raiders coach Jon Gruden was so disappointed in the play of backup quarterbacks Connor Cook and E.J. Manuel last week that he said the team’s No. 2 QB behind Derek Carr might not be on the roster right now. Cook and Manuel get a last shot to show Gruden they deserve that job when the Raiders visit the Seahawks.

“We’ve turned the ball over too many times,” Gruden said. “That’s number one, and we have to complete some drives, throw the ball more accurately. We have to throw the ball consistently better, take better care of the football and move the offense. That’s what we want to see.”

The Seahawks will test how rookie Shaquem Griffin looks at weakside linebacker with the expectation that K.J. Wright will not be recovered from knee surgery in time for the opener on Sept. 9 at Denver. If Wright isn’t recovered in time, Griffin, who has no left hand, would be the presumptive starter.

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Bills release veteran RB McCoy

Bills release veteran RB McCoy

The Buffalo Bills released veteran running back LeSean McCoy on Saturday.

McCoy, 31, gained the fewest yards of his 10-year career in 2018, rushing for 514 yards and averaging 3.2 yards per carry.

“We made a tough decision today, but felt that it was the right time to release LeSean McCoy,” Bills general manager Brandon Beane said. “I have nothing but great things to say about LeSean and we truly wish him the best.”

McCoy spent the past four seasons in Buffalo after six with the Philadelphia Eagles. For his career, he has 10,606 yards and 69 rushing touchdowns in 147 games.

The six-time Pro Bowl selection led the NFL with a career-high 1,607 rushing yards in 2013, one of his six 1,000-yard seasons.

The Bills brought in competition during the offseason, drafting rookie Devin Singletary in the third round and signing 36-year-old veteran Frank Gore.

Reports: Cut McCoy to join Chiefs

Reports: Cut McCoy to join Chiefs

Running back LeSean McCoy will reportedly sign with the Kansas City Chiefs after being released by the Buffalo Bills on Saturday.

McCoy will join Kansas City on a one-year deal for $3 million guaranteed, according to multiple reports. The move reunites him with head coach Andy Reid, whom he played for while beginning his career with the Philadelphia Eagles.

McCoy, 31, gained the fewest yards of his 10-year career in 2018, rushing for 514 yards and averaging 3.2 yards per carry.

“We made a tough decision today, but felt that it was the right time to release LeSean McCoy,” Bills general manager Brandon Beane said. “I have nothing but great things to say about LeSean and we truly wish him the best.”

McCoy spent the past four seasons in Buffalo after six with the Eagles. For his career, he has 10,606 yards and 69 rushing touchdowns in 147 games.

The six-time Pro Bowl selection led the NFL with a career-high 1,607 rushing yards in 2013, one of his six 1,000-yard seasons.

The Bills brought in competition during the offseason, drafting rookie Devin Singletary in the third round and signing 36-year-old veteran Frank Gore.

Adam Long and Scotty Scheffler, a rookie, are another stroke back at 12 under. Long shot 70, and Scheffler had a 71.

Niemann, who shared the 36-hole lead with Scheffler and Shelton entering the day, is trying to become the first Chilean to win on the PGA Tour. He has eight career top-10 finishes, including two ties for fifth during the 2019 season.

“It’s a great feeling,” Niemann told reporters afterward. “I just need to “be patient and keep the emotions down and enjoy tomorrow and have a really good round.

No third-round leader has gone on to win the tournament.

Niemann had a quiet front nine, posting only a birdie at No. 6. He opened the back with another birdie, rolling in a 26-foot putt at the 10th, but bogeyed the 11th. After five straight pars, he birdied No. 17 and parred the 18th.

“For sure going to be a little nervous tomorrow, but, I mean, it’s part of the game,” Niemann said of Sunday’s final round. “I just need to — like I say every time — I just want get out there and really enjoy myself, hit the good shots, visualize my shot, and try to hit them.”

Lashley had a wild round, shooting 5-under 29 on a bogey-free front nine and even on the back after collecting three bogeys, a birdie and an eagle at the par-5 17th.

Werenski had four birdies in a bogey-free front nine and finished with six on the day. He had one bogey on the back nine.

Shelton overcame a 2-over start through five holes, getting two back-nine birdies to finish even.

Defending champion Kevin Na shot 68 and is tied for 16th at 8 under.

Kevin Chappell, who shot an 11-under 59 on Friday, had a 73 on Saturday and was eight strokes behind Niemann in a tie for 29th.

Jets LB Mosley ruled out vs. Browns

Jets LB Mosley ruled out vs. Browns

New York Jets inside linebacker C.J. Mosley has been ruled out for Monday’s game against the Cleveland Browns.

Rookie defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (ankle) also will not play against the Browns, the team announced Saturday.

Mosley sustained a groin injury in the second half of the Jets’ 17-16 season-opening loss to Buffalo on Sunday. Prior to the injury, the four-time Pro Bowl selection returned an interception for a touchdown to stake New York to an early lead.

Mosley was playing in his first game since signing a five-year, $85 million contract in the offseason.

Starting tailback Le’Veon Bell is questionable to play with a shoulder injury for the Jets, who will be without quarterback Sam Darnold (mononucleosis).

Cowboys WR Hurns making strides after brutal injury

Cowboys WR Hurns making strides after brutal injury

Allen Hurns’ horrific lower-leg injury appeared to be the type that might cause him to miss at least part of the 2019 NFL season.

But the Dallas Cowboys receiver is recovering fast and he told reporters on Tuesday that he expects to be fully ready when training camp opens next month.

Hurns, 27, ran pass routes on Tuesday for the first time since badly dislocating his left ankle and breaking his fibula during the NFC wild-card game against the Seattle Seahawks on Jan. 5. He said he will participate in individual drills on Thursday, the final day of camp.

Hurns was injured after catching a pass in the first quarter of the wild-card contest and was taken to the hospital with his leg in an air cast. He soon underwent surgery.

“I still get a little cringy thinking about it, but you know what’s surprising going through that? It wasn’t like the worst pain in my life,” Hurns told reporters in Frisco, Texas. “I was more freaked out about my ankle facing another way, but it was crazy for sure. Especially I had to stay off social media with everybody tagging me and things like that showing me the videos. I try not to watch it.”

Hurns was unable to put weight on the lower leg for two months. The first step was jogging, and now he describes himself as 90 percent recovered.

“It’s a progression thing,” Hurns said. “That’s the great thing about it. Each week you come in and you see that, ‘OK, I progressed to this,’ and you can look back and say I’m not where I was. That’s the great thing.”

Hurns caught just 20 passes for 295 yards and two touchdowns last season in his first year with Dallas after playing his first four campaigns with the Jacksonville Jaguars. His best season was in 2015 when he established career highs of 64 receptions, 1,031 yards and 10 touchdowns.

The meager 2018 production adds another element, as Hurns is due to be paid $4 million in base salary in 2019 with a salary cap hit of $6.25 million.

He said he is aware the Cowboys might approach with an ultimatum: Take a pay cut or be released.

“I know that I’d return. I’m not sure where it’s going to be,” Hurns said. “My main thing is to get healthy, put together a great training camp and go from there.”

Browns' Smith remembers late girlfriend in Instagram post

Browns’ Smith remembers late girlfriend in Instagram post

Cleveland Browns defensive end Chris Smith remembered his late girlfriend in an Instagram post on Saturday.

Petara Cordero died at age 26 early Wednesday morning in Cleveland after Smith’s Lamborghini blew a tire in an auto accident. She was soon struck by another vehicle.

“God has a plan for all of us we can’t understand but she is in a better place now and she can rest easy,” Smith wrote on his account. “My wifey my best friend and the mother of my beautiful daughter. Love you baby.”

Cordero wasn’t seriously hurt in the initial Tuesday night crash in which Smith’s vehicle hit the center median on Interstate 90. But she got out of the car and was struck by an oncoming vehicle.

Cordero was taken to Cleveland Clinic – Fairview Hospital and was pronounced dead.

The driver of the vehicle that struck Cordero admitted to drinking prior to the accident, according to published reports.

Smith and Cordero had a daughter — Haven — together last month. According to Cleveland.com, Cordero and her daughter had flown from Charlotte, N.C., to visit Smith.

Smith returned to practice on Saturday and was a full participant. He is listed as questionable for Monday night’s road game against the New York Jets.

Smith, 27, is in his second season with the Browns after spending three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2014-16) and one with the Cincinnati Bengals (2017).

NFL notebook: Edelman injury reportedly not deemed serious

NFL notebook: Edelman injury reportedly not deemed serious

New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman is expected to be fine after initially injuring his hand during the team’s final preseason game, per a published report Friday.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Edelman is expected to be no worse for wear after landing awkwardly on his left hand following a 20-yard reception early in Thursday’s preseason 31-29 loss versus the New York Giants.

Edelman was seen consulting with trainers while sitting out the remainder of the game.

–Oakland signed center Rodney Hudson to a multiyear contract extension. And while the team didn’t announce terms, a published report said the deal will make him the NFL’s highest-paid center.

NFL Network reported that Hudson agreed to a three-year, $33.75 million contract extension, with $24.4 million in guaranteed money.

–Tennessee agreed to terms on a contract extension with center Ben Jones, who has started 80 consecutive games in the past five seasons.

The extension is for two years and $13.5 million, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Jones, 31, has played in all possible 112 games in his seven-year career, tied for the longest active streak with Kansas City’s Mitchell Schwartz among offensive linemen. Jones was a fourth-round pick of the Houston Texans, spending four seasons with the franchise before signing as a free agent with the Titans in 2016.

–Cincinnati rookie running back Rodney Anderson is believed to have torn his right ACL on Thursday night in the Bengals’ final preseason game, according to multiple reports.

The reports added he likely will miss the season. He left the game, a 13-6 loss to Indianapolis, in the first quarter after a four-yard run.

–The NFL conditionally reinstated linebacker Rolando McClain, a former No. 8 overall pick who hasn’t played in three seasons, according to multiple reports.

Drafted by the Oakland Raiders in 2010, McClain was suspended indefinitely in 2016 after he repeatedly failed drug tests. He last played in 2015 with the Dallas Cowboys, who hold his rights.

–Los Angeles left tackle Russell Okung will not play in the season opener against Indianapolis.

Chargers general manager Tom Telesco announced the Week 1 status of Okung on Thursday, per ESPN.

–San Francisco running back Jerick McKinnon will be placed on injured reserve and is expected to require an additional procedure on his surgically repaired knee.

McKinnon, 27, missed all of last season recovering from a torn ACL in his right knee in August 2018. He had signed as a free agent from Minnesota and expected to be the starting running back in San Francisco.

The teams did not officially announce the trade, however ESPN and NFL Network reported that the Patriots will send Dawson and a seventh-round pick in the 2020 draft to the Broncos in exchange for a sixth-round draft selection.

–Oakland released linebacker Brandon Marshall, according to multiple reports.

Marshall signed a one-year contract worth up to $4.1 million with the Raiders in the offseason after spending six seasons with Denver.

–New England acquired center Russell Bodine from Buffalo in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, according to multiple reports.

NFL Network reported that the Patriots are expected to place starting center David Andrews on injured reserve. Andrews was hospitalized with blood clots in his lungs earlier this week.

–New York Jets president Neil Glat has resigned from his role and will become a senior adviser, the team announced.

Glat oversaw the Jets’ off-field activities for the past seven years. His duties included redesigning the uniforms, signing a gaming deal with MGM and expanding fan interactions.

–Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Langer, who played every offensive snap at center for the unbeaten 1972 Miami Dolphins, died Thursday, the team announced. He was 71.

Langer spent 10 years with the Dolphins, from 1970 to 1979, earning first-team All-Pro honors four times and six selections to the Pro Bowl. He finished his career with two seasons with his home-state Minnesota Vikings.

Original Patriot Garron dies at 82

Original Patriot Garron dies at 82

Larry Garron, an original member of the Boston Patriots, died at age 82.

Garron played for the Patriots from 1960-68 and remains in ninth place on the franchise’s all-time rushing list.

“On behalf of the entire Patriots organization, I want to extend our sincerest sympathies to the Garron family,” said Robert Kraft, the chairman and CEO. “This year marks the 60th anniversary season for this franchise and Larry has represented this organization and been a member of the Patriots family since Day 1.

“We owe a debt of gratitude to Larry and all of the original Boston Patriots like him. Without their many contributions, we would not be the franchise that we are today. Our condolences go out to all who are mourning Larry’s loss.”

A Mississipi native, Garron played at Western Illinois before joining the Patriots, where he spent his entire nine-year pro career. He was a four-time All-Star in the American Football League.

He finished with 2,981 rushing yard and holds the record for the longest run in team history — an 85-yard touchdown run vs. Buffalo on Oct. 22, 1961.

Garron also was a proficient receiver and gained 5,483 yards from scrimmage. He had 40 touchdowns in 99 career games (18 starts).

Bucs' Arians: TE Howard 'can play a heck of a lot better'

Bucs’ Arians: TE Howard ‘can play a heck of a lot better’

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end O.J. Howard does not appear to be in the good graces of Bruce Arians, and the team’s new coach wasn’t shy about his thoughts of Howard’s performance.

Howard followed up his four-reception, 32-yard game in Tampa Bay’s season-opening loss to San Francisco with a catchless effort in Thursday’s 20-14 victory over Carolina. To make matters worse, the third-year tight end wasn’t even targeted by quarterback Jameis Winston against the Panthers.

Arians was direct in his response when reporters asked why Howard has been stuck in neutral.

“You’d probably have to ask him,” the 66-year-old Arians said. “He’s got so much talent and he can play a heck of a lot better than he’s playing.”

Howard got off on the wrong foot in the opener versus the 49ers, fumbling once and tipping a ball that led to an interception.

The 24-year-old Howard was expected to have a much better start to the season after wide receivers DeSean Jackson (Philadelphia) and Adam Humphries (Tennessee) departed for other teams.

Howard reeled in 34 receptions for 565 yards and five touchdowns during his injury-shortened 2018 campaign.

Howard has 64 receptions for 1,029 yards and 11 scores in 26 games since being selected by the Buccaneers with the 19th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Alabama.

Report: Patriots' Brown makes trip to Miami, expected to play

Report: Patriots’ Brown makes trip to Miami, expected to play

Antonio Brown is heading to Miami with the intention of playing for the New England Patriots in this weekend’s road game against the Dolphins, the NFL Network reported on Saturday.

Brown, the subject of a civil suit by his former trainer alleging rape and sexual assault, was under consideration for the Commissioner’s Exempt List, according to USA Today. Commissioner Roger Goodell will not enact his authority in the matter at this time, but the NFL is expected to interview the woman and Brown as part of its investigation.

Brown has participated in practices this week with the Patriots (1-0) after being released last weekend by the Oakland Raiders.

Whether Brown actually sees the field against the Dolphins (0-1) is in question, as coach Bill Belichick told reporters on Friday that the 31-year-old had a “long way to go.”

“Obviously, he’s not familiar with our offense,” Belichick said. “The systems that he’s been in have been quite different. Jon (Gruden, Raiders coach) does the West Coast offense, which there’s very little carryover from their system to our system. Not bad or good — just we’ve had players before. It’s just not all going to carry over, and a similar thing in Pittsburgh.

“You know, he’s working hard to pick it up, and we’re working hard to get it to him. … We try to get him caught up to speed as quickly as you can. It’s too much ground to make up in a few days, but we do the best we can and we’ll see how it goes.”

Brown inked a reported one-year, $15 million deal that includes a $9 million signing bonus and a $20 million team option for 2020 last Saturday after his release from the Raiders.

After bailing on the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2018 regular-season finale and sitting out Week 1 this year, Brown could play for the first time since Dec. 23 if he faces the Dolphins.

Panthers place Gano on IR, ending his season

Panthers place Gano on IR, ending his season

Gano, 32, missed the final four games of the 2018 season with an injury in his plant (left) leg. He kicked at the start of training camp but was unable to continue because of soreness.

“Both Graham and the team were optimistic throughout this process that his leg would improve enough to allow him to kick,” general manager Marty Hurney said. “Unfortunately, Graham still had pain in his plant leg each time he tried to resume kicking. These are tough decisions, and we discussed all options, but ultimately we decided to place Graham on injured reserve today.”

Because Gano will not be on the 53-man roster the Panthers submit before Saturday’s deadline, he won’t be able to return in the 2019 season.

Taking his place will be rookie Joey Slye, who made 7 of 8 field goal attempts in four preseason games with a long of 59 yards.

Gano, a Pro Bowl selection in 2017, made 14 of 16 field goal attempts in 2018, including a career-long 63-yarder. He converted 30 of 33 extra point tries.

Titans agree with C Jones on two-year extension

Titans agree with C Jones on two-year extension

The Tennessee Titans agreed to terms on a contract extension with center Ben Jones, who has started 80 consecutive games in the past five seasons.

The extension is for two years and $13.5 million, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Jones, 31, has played in all possible 112 games in his seven-year career, tied for the longest active streak with Kansas City’s Mitchell Schwartz among offensive linemen. Jones was a fourth-round pick of the Houston Texans, spending four seasons with the franchise before signing as a free agent with the Titans in 2016.

He has started games at center and both guard sports.

Jones was entering the final year of his contract, with a base salary of $4.5 million.

“I think when you look at Ben’s personality, he’s got a great reach in the locker room, he’s got a great ability to reach a lot of different players and a lot of different positions,” Titans coach Mike Vrabel said this week. “I think first of all that that’s unique. He’s a very instinctive and aware player. He’s a very smart football player and I would say that his number one redeeming quality is his toughness.”

Reports: Bucs' Pierre-Paul (neck) to miss at least six weeks

Reports: Bucs’ Pierre-Paul (neck) to miss at least six weeks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul is expected to be placed on the reserve/non-football injury list, multiple media outlets reported on Friday.

Pierre-Paul, who sustained a cervical fracture during an offseason car accident, will not be eligible to play or practice until after Week 6 on Oct. 14.

The 30-year-old Pierre-Paul fractured the vertebra in a car accident on May 2 and has been on the non-football injury list since the opening of training camp. He was recently cleared to resume rehab activities.

The Buccaneers’ bye week is in Week 7 (Oct. 20), perhaps providing a window for Pierre-Paul to get ready before the Oct. 27 game at Tennessee.

Pierre-Paul led Tampa Bay with 12.5 sacks and 20 quarterback hits last season after arriving via trade from the New York Giants.

He is expected to play more as a linebacker in defensive coordinator Todd Bowles’ 3-4 scheme.

Jaguars WR Lee (knee) ruled out vs. Texans

Jaguars WR Lee (knee) ruled out vs. Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Marqise Lee, who played 12 snaps last week after missing all of 2018, was downgraded to out because of a knee injury.

Cornerback A.J. Bouye also was downgraded to out ahead of Sunday’s game at the Houston Texans.

Lee, who sustained a torn ACL during the Jaguars’ third preseason game on Aug. 25, 2018, was listed as questionable earlier this week after failing to catch a pass in the opening loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Lee, 27, was the Jaguars’ leading receiver in 2017, catching 56 passes for 702 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games. In his first four seasons, he had 171 receptions for 2,166 yards and eight scores.

Rookie quarterback Gardner Minshew II will be making his first start for the Jaguars (0-1). He entered in relief of Nick Foles (broken collarbone) last week and completed 22 of 25 for 275 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception.

Koepka: Golfers complain too much at U.S. Open

Koepka: Golfers complain too much at U.S. Open

The U.S. Open is known as the toughest test in golf, with narrow fairways, penalizing rough, and pin placements almost impossible to reach.

Some of the top pros claim the way the USGA has set up its championship courses in recent years is more than tough; it’s been unfair.

Those complaints were a big topic of conversation Tuesday after practice rounds for this week’s U.S. Open, which begins Thursday at the famed and picturesque Pebble Beach in northern California.

But you won’t hear any moaning from the guy who is going for his third consecutive U.S. Open title.

“I mean, everybody has got to play the same golf course,” Brooks Koepka said.

“It doesn’t make a difference if you put it in the fairway and you hit every green, there’s really no problem, is there? So obviously they’re not doing what they’re supposed to do. So they’re not playing good enough. If they put it in the fairway, you shouldn’t have to complain about the rough. You hit the greens and you hit it close, you shouldn’t have to complain about the greens.

“I’ve just never been one to complain, make excuses. It doesn’t matter. Nobody wants to hear anybody’s excuse. I find it annoying even when I play with guys and they’re dropping clubs or throwing them or complaining, like telling me how bad the golf course is or how bad this is. I don’t want to hear it. I don’t care. It doesn’t matter to me.

“It’s just something we’ve all got to deal with. If you play good enough, you shouldn’t have a problem.”

Koepka won last year at Shinnecock Hills in New York with a 1-over-par total. Perhaps the moment most remember from the event is Phil Mickelson, afraid his putt at a treacherous hole location was going to roll off the green and into a bunker, chased down the ball and hit it back while it was moving. He was assessed a two-stroke penalty.

On Saturday at Shinnecock, the last 45 players to tee off failed to break par.

Tough or unfair?

“I think big picture you still had the right champions every single time. And that’s what you want to do in majors, you want to separate who is playing the best from who’s not,” said Jordan Spieth, who won the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay, when dead fescue grass on the greens was a significant storyline.

“And I don’t see how that’s not had the right result in any of the previous years, even though certainly everything could have gone a hundred percent perfectly and it didn’t, necessarily.”

The USGA has narrowed the fairways slightly from the typical setup at Pebble Beach, and Englishman Justin Rose said, “The rough seems penal but not outrageous.”

“I think there’s going to be some very unlucky lies around the greens and the tops of the bunkers the way they’ve let the fescue, or whatever that grass is around the tops of the bunkers, grow,” he added.

“It’s quite a coarse grass as well. Any ball that lands just over the top of a bunker and lands in that longer grass, I think the ball is going to stick in there and you’re going to have some tough lies. And maybe you’ll see guys not move a ball possibly from the tops of those bunkers. That’s probably the most penal area of the golf course, I think.”

It’s all fine by Koepka.

“I just view it as this is what it is this week, and I’ve got to deal with it and go,” he said. “In my mind it doesn’t equate to a bad setup or good setup.”

Mistrial declared in 8 remaining counts against Winslow II

Mistrial declared in 8 remaining counts against Winslow II

A California judge declared a mistrial Tuesday on eight remaining counts against former NFL tight end Kellen Winslow II, who was found guilty of felony rape one day earlier in Vista, Calif.

Winslow also was found guilty on misdemeanor charges of indecent exposure and lewd conduct, and he was acquitted on another lewd-conduct charge on Monday. All the incidents occurred in San Diego County.

But the jury was deadlocked on the other eight charges and Judge Blaine K. Bowman ordered the jurors to return Tuesday.

Shortly after 10 a.m. PT, Bowman received a note from the jurors saying they remained deadlocked on the remaining charges, which include six felonies.

A short time later, Bowman polled the jury in the courtroom. After hearing the results, he declared a mistrial on all eight counts.

Winslow still faces as long as nine years in prison, due to the rape conviction and the two misdemeanor convictions.

The rape Winslow was found guilty of involved a 58-year-old homeless woman in 2018.

The indecent exposure incident involved a 57-year-old woman who was gardening in her front yard. The lewd conduct incident involved a 77-year-old woman at a health club.

Winslow, 35, didn’t testify during the trial.

Winslow is the son of former San Diego Chargers tight end Kellen Winslow. The Hall of Famer was in the courtroom daily, including when the verdicts against his son were read on Monday.

Kellen Winslow II played nine NFL seasons and caught 469 passes for 5,236 yards and 25 touchdowns with the Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots and New York Jets. He was the sixth overall pick of the 2004 NFL Draft out of the University of Miami (Fla.).

In exchange for his plea, he received a sentence of 90 days in jail and received credit for time served in a residential treatment center. He also was sentenced to three years of probation, one year of domestic violence counseling and 25 hours of community service.

Smith missed two practices this week following the death of his girlfriend, Petara Cordero, who was killed earlier this week when a driver struck the couple’s disabled car. He returned to practice on Saturday and was a full participant.